FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (St. Louis, October 8, 2015) – The Christian Board of Publication (CBP) is the second General Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to be named an Open and Affirming (O&A) Ministry, committing to openly welcoming and affirming persons of all gender expressions and sexual orientations.

O&A is overseen by the GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples) Alliance*, which reviewed CBP’s employee handbook and other key documents as part of the process. At its September meeting in St. Louis, Mo., the CBP Board of Directors unanimously adopted a statement welcoming all people into its ministry and pledging that resources published by CBP/Chalice Press will not condemn individuals based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Founded in 1911, CBP publishes resources inviting all people into deeper relationship with God, equipping them as disciples of Jesus Christ, and sending them into ministries as the Holy Spirit calls them.

CBP is a fully self-sufficient, non-profit corporation and receives no denominational funding.